Admissions

Mansfield University began its first graduate programs in the summer of 1966. Today, Mansfield University offers education-related master’s degree programs in Education, Special Education, Nursing, and Nutrition. Mansfield University has a rolling admissions policy. Applications are considered based upon academic credentials and space availability for the entry date requested.

Application Procedures

Official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended, regardless of whether or not a degree was earned, must be submitted as part of the application packet. These transcripts must be sealed by the registrar and remain sealed until their arrival at the Graduate Admissions Office. If the course(s) or the degree was completed at Mansfield University, the applicant is not required to submit the transcript.

One or more letter(s) of recommendation required by graduate programs (see Additional Admissions Requirements for Specific Graduate Programs).

Copy of current teaching certificate, if applicable.

$25.00 application processing fee.

Admission to a graduate program is based on a full review of application materials and recommendation by the faculty of the admitting graduate program, and upon acceptance by the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Evidence of at least one completed undergraduate degree program from a regionally accredited university or in the case of international students, a nationally recognized institution.

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale unless an exception is recommended by the graduate program faculty. Such an exception will result in a provisional admission. A student in provisional status:

Must maintain communication with the program academic advisor via email or phone.

May take up to six (6) credits in the graduate degree program and must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in those credits to be eligible for continuing enrollment. Please consult with the program academic advisor to determine the courses that will fulfill this requirement. A student who receives an “F” is automatically dismissed from the University. All normal University policies and procedures apply thereafter.

Must contact the program academic advisor prior to registration for the following semester. An Academic Hold will be placed on the student’s account and can only be released by the program academic advisor prior to scheduling for subsequent coursework.

May receive financial aid during the period, subject to the standard method utilized to determine eligibility for all matriculated students.

Additional requirements may be required by specific graduate programs. Please see below.

Additional Admission Requirements for Specific Graduate Programs

Education, Master of Science
1. One academic or professional letter of recommendation.
2. Copy of current teaching certificate, if applicable.
3. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in an undergraduate degree earned or calculated on the last 48 semester hours.

Nursing, Masters of Science in Nursing
1. Evidence of a valid professional nursing license required.
2. A completed BSN degree required OR any bachelor’s degree with the completion of the following prerequisite courses:
a). Introduction to Statistics (MA 1125)
b). Community Health Nursing (NUR 4471), the NLN Community Health Nursing Exam or course equivalent.
3. Two letters of recommendation; one professional and one academic preferred to speak to applicant’s academic, writing, and critical thinking abilities as well as applicant’s motivation to achieve the MSN degree.
4. If GPA is between 2.8 and 2.99, the applicant will be considered for Provisional Acceptance. Provisionally accepted students will work with an advisor to schedule and complete six graduate level credits. Once the student can demonstrate that s/he is capable of succeeding at the graduate level (achieving a 3.0 or higher on 6 graduate credits), then, through department recommendation, the student may be eligible to continue on the path toward graduation.

Nutrition, Masters of Science
1. Minimum 3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale.
2. If GPA is between 2.8 and 2.999, the applicant will be considered for Provisional Acceptance. Students provisionally admitted into the MS in Nutrition program will be expected to take and successfully complete six graduate credits by advisement before formal admission to the program.
3. Two letters of recommendation; one professional and one academic preferred, to speak to applicant’s academic, writing, and critical thinking abilities as well as applicant’s motivation to achieve the MS degree.
4. Students do not need to have a BS in Nutrition, but must have a baccalaureate degree and must have completed the following courses or their equivalency prior to enrolling in this advance degree program:

CHM-1101 Introduction to Chemistry

CHM-1102 Inorganic and Organic Chemistry

CHM-2201 Introduction to Biochemistry

BSC-1121 Anatomy & Physiology I

BSC-1122 Anatomy & Physiology II

NTR-2211 Introduction to Nutrition

NTR-3314 Life-Cycle Nutrition

NTR-3316 Community Nutrition

At least one Medical Nutrition Therapy course, such as NTR-4401 Medical Nutrition Therapy I

Special Education, Master of Education
1. One academic or professional letter of recommendation
2. Copy of current teaching certificate, if applicable
3. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in an undergraduate degree earned or calculated on the last 48 semester hours

Clearance Requirements

Clearances are required for the following degree programs:

Master of Science, Education and Master of Education, Special Education
Students must submit copies of their clearances via US mail to: Ms. Beth McClure, 205 Retan, Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA 16933. If you have any questions, please call (570) 662-4024. Current Public School Employees may use this form www.mansfield.edu/teacher/initial-clearance-instructions.cfm to satisfy this requirement.

Masters of Science in Nursing
Specific requirements to participate in out-of-class experiences are found in the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook. All information must be submitted to Arlene Brown, 204 Elliott Hall, Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA 16933. If you have any questions, please call (570) 662-4481. Email Arlene Brown at abrown@mansfield.edu for a copy of the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook.

Non-Degree Students

Students not matriculated into a specific graduate program may take up to nine (9) credits in a “non-degree” status. To continue taking graduate courses, they must complete a regular graduate application and be formally admitted to a graduate program or indicate that they wish to remain non-degree for enrichment purposes.

Checklist for Graduation

Submit an Application for Graduation via WebAdvisor no later than one year prior to your intended graduation date.

Graduate students need to purchase academic attire approximately eight weeks prior to graduation. If it is not convenient for you to come to Mansfield to purchase your attire, please contact the Campus Bookstore at (570) 662-4922 (see the Policy Section, Bookstore, Mansfield University).

Graduate Student Advisors

One of the special characteristics of graduate programs at Mansfield University is the importance placed on the advisor-advisee relationship. We regard it as essential that an advisor be assigned when entering a program. There are many opportunities to tailor programs to a graduate student’s unique professional goals. The graduate advisor works as a collegial professional mentor with their assigned graduate student. Once enrollment is confirmed, it is the graduate student’s responsibility to contact the academic department to be assigned an advisor. Degree seeking graduate students will not be allowed to progress beyond nine (9) graduate credits without being assigned an advisor.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships may be available each year to full-time and half-time graduate students. Please contact the Graduate Admissions Office for information regarding possible in-state tuition waivers and stipends. Graduate assistantships provide the graduate student with opportunities for professional, collegial, and academic growth. To this purpose, graduate assistants are assigned to work in an academic or professional area on campus. Awards are assigned on a competitive process. Graduate students should apply for an assistantship by March 15 to be considered for the following academic year (see the website graduate-studies.mansfield.edu/graduate-assistantship/index.cfm for additional information and/or an application).